Committee approves new rules to allow planting food in boulevard gardens

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee approved amending the rules for residential boulevard gardening↗ to allow growing food and placing planters in the residential boulevard. The residential boulevard is located on the right of way, the City-owned portion of land that includes roadways, shoulders, sidewalks, and boulevards beside your property, governed by the Use and Care of Roads By-law.

The changes to the by-law would allow more residents to undertake gardening projects, support residents’ access to food and increase plant diversity which has environmental benefits. Allowing raised beds and containers can mitigate health concerns regarding the suitability of the boulevard for growing food, including the unknown quality of the soil in the boulevard. Raised garden beds and moveable containers would require setbacks to mitigate safety concerns and to meet operational needs.

This will rise to Council on Wednesday, April 16.

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